The Northeastern American state of Maine is renowned for its rugged shoreline, untainted forests, and outdoor sports. 

Maine is renowned for its numerous lighthouses, delectable lobsters, and independent spirit. 

Trekking, backpacking, fishing, kayaking, and whale viewing are all available to visitors to Maine.

Guests can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the winter. A more laid-back vacation can be had by visiting one of Maine’s many charming villages or lounging on the beach.

Due to the abundance of pine trees that exist here, Maine is referred to as the “Pine Tree State.” About 90% of the state is forested which is the highest percentage of any state in the US.

Naturally, the Pine Tree State is a fantastic location for hiking, camping, and enjoying the outdoors. 

In Maine, there are more than 17 million acres of public land, most of which is covered in forests.

Maine is undoubtedly a region you should visit if you enjoy spending time outdoors.

Moose, deer, bears, and coyotes are just a few of the numerous wildlife species that may be found in Maine. So if you’re hoping to see some wildlife in action, make sure to keep an eye out. 

Maine is renowned for its stunning, rugged coastline. More than 4,000 miles of the state’s coastline are rocky and undeveloped.

Maine’s weather in December

Maine experiences damp weather in December (with 114mm of cloudburst over 7 days). 

Since there was a total of 90mm of rain over 5 days in November, the weather isn’t getting much better compared to the preceding month.

This month, the weather is more than just very fresh. The temperature can reach -1°C. The temperature lowers to -6°C in the morning. 

Thus, Maine’s typical monthly temperature for the month of December is -3°C. 94% of the month, or roughly 29 days, should be expected to be below 0°C.

Maximum daily temperatures in December range from 1°C (33°F), which is very cold, to 4°C (39°F), which is cold. 

In Augusta, nighttime lows are typically -7°C (19°F), and in Portland, -5°C (23°F). In some places, this month will be extremely chilly, so be ready and wear thick clothing.

The amount of precipitation varies from moderate in Augusta (3.2 inches of snow/rain) to high in Bar Harbor (142 inches of snow/rain).

What to wear for your daytime activities?

In the winter, particularly in December, people from Maine usually dress warmly. 

In order to be warm in the winter, it’s important to dress in layers, and woolen hats, coats, and sweaters are popular choices. Boots are another common type of footwear because they keep feet warm and dry.

Choose wool, silk, fleece, or polyproplene-based synthetic textiles. Bring plenty of layers, warm clothing, and rain gear if you intend to visit Maine in the winter.

Successful outdoor winter pursuits require layering due to the constantly changing weather. 

It is advised to wear down-filled coats, jackets, or vests, as well as insulated boots with high traction, caps that cover your ears, and lined gloves or mittens.

Plan for the cold and snow in advance to make the most of your time outdoors, whether it’s on the slopes, an ice-covered lake, or a snowmobile track. 

Those recommended layers can be easily removed if the sun is shining brilliantly and the temperature rises above freezing.

What to wear for your nighttime activities?

December nights in Maine are extremely chilly, and while there’s plenty to do, you need to know what to wear. 

Maine is a very casual state, so even at night, there’s no strict dress code.

Here, it’s customary to go snowboarding and skiing at night. By adding turns at night, several skiers and riders like to extend their days on the slopes. 

Some people can only ski after work. Others display their competitive nature by participating in midnight racing leagues.

So whether you’re going out to ski, for dinner, or just clubbing, there’s definitely a right way to dress.

Layering your clothing is essential for maintaining warmth and comfort. Long johns or thermal underwear should be worn as a foundation layer first. 

For insulation, add a layer of fleece or wool. Add a waterproof outer layer on top to provide wind and snow protection. In Maine, boots, gloves, hats, and scarves are also necessities during the winter.

Winter layering is a common practice, but there are proper and improper ways to do it. The trick is using loose layers. 

It turns out that the insulated air that moves between your layers of clothes is what actually keeps you warm. Choose the long, tight underwear, but allow some space between them and the rest of your clothes.

Here’s a concise list of what to take:

  • 2 sweaters: Bring a cute sweater that is sufficiently thin to not make you sweat inside, as well as at least one warm jumper or cardigan that you can throw on over your blouses.
  • 4-5 tops: Tops and blouses that can be worn under sweaters
  • 1 warm/thick dress: You can get away with wearing good jeans and a pretty blouse to most restaurants and events in New England because the region tends to be somewhat informal (Boston might be an exception to this rule). However, a lovely dress made of wool or sweatshirt material is ideal if you want to dress up.
  • 1 pair tights (preferably fleece-lined): to wear under your dresses.
  • 1-2 pair of jeans
  • 5-6 pairs of socks (preferably woolen ones)
  • Snow boots or shoes
  • Dress shoes
  • Scarves, gloves and beanies
  • Down jacket
  • Medium weight jacket
  • Raincoat
  • Umbrella

Massive snowdrifts, absurdly brief days that appear devoid of sunlight, and temperatures so chilly they begin with a negative can all be part of winter in Maine.

Although the winters in the Pine Tree State are not to be taken lightly, if you are prepared, they won’t break you.